Left In Lowell

Can We Stop the Drama Now, Please?

by Lynne at 12:40 pm.

The Sun (and from what I’ve heard, WCAP) has confirmed that John Cox will step down as City Manager effective July 31. I’d like to thank him for being kind enough to understand his presence, at best, was causing a breakdown in city government communications, and for being big enough to step aside. It would be even wiser for him to call off his supporters and their goon squad if he has not already done so. Intimidation tactics from some of the shadier elements of the city, and spam attacks on this blog, are not appropriate. In the case of the former, probably even criminal. (I am not referring to the people getting bumper stickers or signs or petition signatures, I am talking about real intimidation. It is an activity that is not unusual in this city and it’s disgusting. Those people should be ashamed of what they are teaching their children.) If no one else will mention it, I will. It’s sick.

So, what follows is the real cause I personally will fight for: who will replace him. I call on the Lowell Sun to keep out of the process this time around. You are not there to make news, you are there to report it. I have seen some fair and balanced writing from the Sun at times lately. I would like to see more of it. I’d also ask the same from WCAP, if it’ll do any good. Let’s not pick a successor on political grounds this time. Or else we will just be here again, resentments burning on all sides, in five more years.

To the City Councilors: please, for the city’s sake, consider carefully who you will hire as the next City Manager. This is your biggest test yet. Make it a wide open search, and choose the candidate who will best administer the city, and not use the position to intimidate, shut out, or hand out favors to particular people, businessmen, or groups. This is a great opportunity, so please don’t waste it. Don’t be afraid to hire someone from outside the city, but if you decide on a local candidate, please choose one that can work with all city residents, instead of the chosen minority.

We all want what’s best for this city. All the fuss has been about our disagreement on what that is. Some think that having the same few voices make all the decisions is better. Many of us think otherwise. This conversation, while bitter and contentious, has shone some light on some pretty dark places. We can continue on that path, or take giant steps backwards. I know which way I’d rather go.

[Filed under Local politics] [link]

92 Responses to “Can We Stop the Drama Now, Please?”

Mike Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
This majority that pushed out Cox must have someone in mind. They must. They wouldn’t be doing this otherwise. I thought it was Pangiatakos, and that would have worked to the benefit of the city, but he doesn’t want it.

Maybe there’s another horse. I like the spirit of your post Lynne, in a perfect world it should be like that. But if the stories are true about deals that were made to get Cox out of office between Councilors, you can bet deals are being made right now for the new Manager. That’s life.
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
If they are, and I find out about it, I can guarentee a big fuss on my part. Please let me know if you hear something which is substantiated.

I do not want a repeat of this in five years. This is a sucky way to run a city.
Bill Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
It’s been repeating every five years or so for a long time. If we are not going to stick with one Manager like Cambridge, we had might as well eliminate the extra level of abstraction and adopt the Alderman + Mayor combination like Somerville.
Mr. Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
A professional administrator and not a politico.

If we get one like that maybe we won’t have the turnover rate everyone hates.

I have also heard that towns where the CM is a stable position non-politoco administrators.
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 2:13 pm
Yes Bill, well said! Either let’s have real Plan E, or else let’s change the charter. We rely on the city councilors to bring us to the correct configuration for Plan E, or seriously, we need to see how much support there is to change the city government entirely.

Personally I still would like to see some mixed district representation on the Council, regardless of whether we stick to Plan E or change it. Maybe 4 or 5 of the positions of the 9 Council spots.
Bill Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Lynne, you may want to remove your Lowell Sun link, as it now points to a different story.
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
Really? I’m still seeing it lead to “BREAKING NEWS: Cox plans to step down July 31″

Veedy peculiar…
massmarrier Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Shall we commission a black hood for you?
jack Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 3:05 pm
this is great news and yes glad the cox did the right honorable thing.. now lets open the hiring process and ge tthe best public administrator with
credentials. AND Please councilors pay strict attention to the upcomign board appointments, NO MORE HACKS.
K-R-S Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 3:13 pm
Has anyone noticed how quiet it has gotten??? Perhaps the spammer was the last stand at the Cox Corral.
Agreed, Jack, open up the hiring process and hire someone with impeccable credentials and education.
There are still many board appointments still in holdover status. I still don’t get the whole ZBA Chair and Vice Chair..they are so
conflicted with many issues that come before them and they consistently have to recuse themselves. When are their terms up?
Same with Conservation Comm. I shall have to do a little research on that.
Mimi Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
Kristin:

As you advocated for months, one of the keys to continuing this vigilance is to scrutinize the Board appointments and that we will do.
K-R-S Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Absolutely Mimi!
jack Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Dont forget the Lowell Housing Authority, the director their recently went public advocating for women and minorities to be appointed… dont let Cox put more HACKS LIKE THE MCMAHONS ON THERE.
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
Caps aside , you have a good point Jack. We need to change ALL of the city appointments in Lowell - from the LHA to the ZBA to the Planning Board.
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
I should say, all the processes for appointments. I don’t mean to say all appointments are hacks or should go.
Paul@01852 Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Several things I am now worried about:

#1 - If the CC accepts the resignation as is (and I see no reason they wont) what kind of “damage” will Cox do between now and then? Such as filling some of the open board positions with his “supporters” (or maybe even HIMSELF?!!) The towing contract is a mess and it seems will have to be renegotiated quickly to prevent any penalties. The tow operators are all Cox supporters so what kind of contract with the CM negotiate on his way out the door? I believe the teachers contract is being renegotiated now — what impact will Cox have on this? I believe the Council has been damaged by the controversy so will they keep the stiff backbones they have shown so far? — Or will they bend to pacify the howling mobs?

#2 - I have to agree with some of the Cox supporters that in the past 6 years this city has done nothing but grown in a positive direction. I have to believe that Cox was responsible for at least some of that. Maybe a *lot* of that! It makes me uneasy that all the progress could be halted if the wrong person is chosen. I hate to say it but I think the CC should choose someone who is already “on the bus” so to speak. My inclination would be Matt Coggins but I just dont know who all is part of the GOB’s and I definitely dont want one of them. Id rather give it right back to Cox! At least then we know where we all stand!

#3 - The timing of the meeting between the Mayor and the CM was attrocious! The mayor knew Cox was leaving on vacation for two weeks. Confronting him the Friday before he left and then publicly acknowledging the fact the following Monday gave the Cox proponents 2 weeks to marshall their forces which has terribly hurt the unity of the city! I dont believe there was any emergency is moving Cox out. Had the Mayor waited until the CM returned from his vacation the period between the announcement and Cox’s response would have been much shorter preventing much of the dissention. That is going to hurt the city, hurt the Council, and hurt the progress that Lowell has made in the past several years. There are currently too many hard feelings for the cooperation that is so necessary if Lowell is to continue to make the great strides in becoming the world class city we all know it is and can be! But I see tough sledding ahead.
Paul@01852 Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
Lynne: “We need to change ALL of the [processes for] city appointments in Lowell”

I have a first sufggestion to make: eliminate holdovers! Anyone whose term has expired is not allowed to participate in whatever board he/she [used to be] on. If this means there is not enough members present for a quorum then the board cannot do business. Id like to see the LHA, the ZBA or any of the other boards have to suspend operations due to lack of a quorum. Can you see the McMahons scream then if their developments are held up for weeks while CM and the Council plod through the renomination procedures?!
K-R-S Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
The first step in filling our board positions is to actaully advertise them.
Advertise on the City website, in the paper, etc..And yes, eliminate holdovers.
Holdover status is completely unnecessary if the positions are advertised and all requests for appointment are considered,
not thrown into the trash (where many resumes have landed before).

I, too have concerns. Paul, I spoke those same words earlier…”how much damage can he do on the way out”. I hope he is better
than this and rises above his personal issues to do good by the greater masses of this City.
I suspect a few of his buddies will be taken care of on the way out.

The Six that are supportive of his leaving, have to figure, this network will not cast their votes for them in the next election.
Nor will donations be forthcoming from this network. One might conjecture, without those tethers one could be more effective.
Conversely, the result may be more voters coming out because there is hope.
The hope that their vote will actually make a differance.
Mike Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
KRS as a city councilor, how would you have handled this whole thing had you been elected?

Say Ramirez or Donoghue approached you about ousting the manager? Would you have gone about this in a closed door manner with the CM, brought it to the council floor, or chosen not to take part at all?

This is a very reasonable question as you could have easily been in this position.
No one you know Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Mike: As I now understand what happened, at least according to the local newsletter, The Martin and Millinazzo
went to Cox in his office to ask him about the rumors the CC had been hearing that he was preparing to resign,
during the conversation Cox was informed he no longer has support from a majority of the council. E.D. even went
as far as filing a motion for tomorrow night, that is now moot, asking Cox to tell the council was his plans are
ahead of a possible no confidence vote. A no confidence vote is not a vote to vacate the office of City Manager.

I still don’t get what the supporters of Cox are getting at, there was no closed door meeting. If there was a
closed door meeting then the appropriate law enforcement agencies need to be informed. Councilors call each other
to lobby for an against things all the time. A friend of mine was elected to the CC and before the end of election
night he had two calls from other councilors looking for his vote for mayor!

As an employer I’d certainly be interested in knowing ahead of time that a key employee was seriously considering
leaving the job, and if he/she was on thin ice to begin with I wouldn’t do anything to stop them from leaving, but
I would want to know so I could begin the process of finding a replacement.

As far as who the next CM should be, I too would prefer to see a professional, but unfortunately that just is not
done in Lowell. If the CC goes the route and hires a professional I’d be more than happy to support a contract, but
if as expected they hire another political then no contract and I’d also move to get rid of the ordinance that
requires an annual written review of the CM that results in an automatic pay raise unless the manager gets a rating
that would question why he/she should be kept on the job!
pete the pirate Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
lets not kid ourselves. cox is leaving because mayor martin and millanazzo polled their supporting colleagues (i doubt the merciers or caufield were called) and got a concensus to can the cm. hmmm, 6 cc’s chatting about the same subject.
now the cox-haters are dreaming that this city council can find a cm candidate who is independant, and can keep lowell moving in the direction that the evil cox was. mind you, i am not saying this as a cox supporter, only as a lifelong lowellian who has seen the 5 yr job revolve around other polititians (richard johnson was a total surprise). you dream if you believe the cowardly 6 will put someone in that office who is’nt in their camp from the get-go. did someone mention the lha director? would that be gary wallace, son of kendall? and did i hear matt coggins, who’s consiglieri is kendall wallace? wake up! lets act surprised when lowell takes a dip in the late summer.
pete the pirate Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
do some people still believe that martin and milanazzo walked into city hall without talking to the other 4 councilors? say it ain’t so!
Lynne Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Actually, since everyone knew where Milinazzo, Elliot, Ramirez, and presumably (at least, I think so) Donoghue stood, Martin was the only unknown fence-sitter (where he can often be found). Then there’s Broderick, who ends up being a sixth wheel here (but kudos to him for bucking his contributors, whatever the reason he would vote no confidence, if indeed he would have).

I mean, who needs to have illegal meetings with the Sun writing every week about every nuance.

We have some really cynical people here. LMAO

I believe that I can confidently say Elliot and Milinazzo are doing this for the “right” reasons. Martin and Donoghue, I’m a little more fuzzy on why (some, including the Column, are saying Martin did it to get votes to be Mayor, I haven’t corroborated that)
Ramirez of course ran on this platform, so no surprise there. Broderick is a bit of a mystery to me, I must say. I think eventually I might even crack him. We’ll see. I have…my sources.

Now that we’re back to having sane people having detailed and productive discussions, I’d like to make sure we all keep tabs on behavior in the future, and coming up with new and innovative ways to fight the GOB network. I suspect they might hold a grudge.
Seems like something they’d do. We need to keep digging and using the Sun and each other as resources, I want to see them neutralized. Easy to do - shine that light of day on them and they will slink off into the shadows from whence they came.

I say easy to do, but of course, if it were that easy, it would have happened already. But chin up, guys! Do you realize how much more access to the city government we already have? With the advent of televised Board meetings (thank you Councilor Ramirez), posted agendas and schedules for almost everything, and the hard work of residents, we’ve made lots of strides. Don’t think that happened in a vacuum! Give yourselves a pat on the back for participating, and resolve to go forward and get even more wins.
bob lighthouse Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
In light of the activities of Cox and his disciples’ over the past two weeks, there now is a case for the immediacy of his termination. The childish behavior that he has exhibited analogous to “I don’t like the game, so I’m taking my ball”, or better still, as the Sun put it, “I’ll twist your arm and break your leg”. These are not Leadership Qualities or Personal Traits that the CM of Lowell should be representing to third persons, nor be included in a new job posting for this position.

It is my opinion that Councilors did their best in a difficult situation to handle it as professionally as they could. Rather than to terminate the CM immediately, as I am sure some wanted to do, he was given an option to leave with a degree of saving face. An option, I might add, Cox has not afforded others that have gotten in his way or threatened him and his fiefdom.

Cox, however, used these two weeks of vacation time using his usual tactics from the bully pulpit trying to strong arm the Council( i.e. Cox’s translation ‘how smart I am’) by attempting to circumvent the Plan E form of government with his PAC. He continued to show his total disrespect to individuals on the Council and therefore to the Council as a body. He did everything he could to make the Councilor’s who were seeking his resignation look like a body of buffoons. However, in doing so, he is belittling the people of Lowell that voted the Council in. He has forgotten that he needs the people of Lowell as much as he needs the Council.

Cox is a person who is on a power and ego trip which is not too uncommon to occurrence to public employees who have been in positions of unbridle authority. This is one of the many reasons that elected boards are created. Elected bodies, such as the council exist to stop the Abuse of Power that can easily prevail within a public organization without the proper checks and balances of independent boards and councils. It is Cox’s abuse of power that has led to lack of Public Trust that we are seeing in the issues of his dealings with developers’, negotiations in land takings, and the towing contracts to name a few. When a public employee forgets who the clientele is for whom it serves then they are no longer doing their job.

Today, upon his return to work and after all the chaos he caused during his vacation, he decided to take his ball and go home. He decided that his little antics were not working and therefore to accept the Councils offer was the best way to go. However, in light of the activities of Cox and his disciples’ over the past two weeks, I for one think the Council should take back their original proposal based on these subsequent events and terminate him immediately
Mike Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 9:13 pm
Bob your post is full of assumptions and half truths.

There is no indication that the group that was formed to support Cox was done at the direction of Cox himself. It was done by people who have both benefited under Cox’s term and others who just think he’s done a good job. I tend to believe his brother who said in the Sun that stuff isn’t his style.

To suggest he caused all of this chaos from his vacation spot is silly. The chaos was caused by the poor timing of the Councilors.
bob lighthouse Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Mike, I guess you really do not know the type of person John Cox is. This is the way he plays. Personally, he is a coward and he has others do his bidding, so that he can keep his hands clean. All the while, he is the Conductor of the orchestra. Anybody with any knowledge of John Cox knows that no one takes a step without his approval. How naïve Mike.
K-R-S Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
Mike..to address your question regarding how I would have handled it…I am a big advocate of public forum for exactly the
reasons our CC has gone through the mud these past two weeks. I would like to think I would have held my decision to myself until the situation was dealt with in a public forum, LIVE on TV.
It’s no secret I don’t care for Cox. I have maintained this opinion since 2002, first time he hung up on my husband and
refused to deal with us. He allowed his cronies to bully, intimidate and harrass myself, my husband and my children.
All the while, we kept it above board and in public view and his friends operated with ease from a dark corner with
phone calls made, favors called in, etc…..And yes, we sought assist from the CC ( in the beginning) and they did nothing.
With all due respect, my criticism has been leveled quite evenly at our local government
To us, he is not the nice guy everyone wants to see or has seen.
When one does not play by his rules, you are shut out.
His refusal to deal with us (my family) cost us AND his friends ALOT of money and time.

He had more of an interest in protecting his buddies financials than he did the average resident
(or at least those who chose not to play the game) of the city.

In the end, it was all well worth it, because we prevailed and it helped to open the doors on fixing a system that was broken.
I think that every challenge that is out in front of you in life is put there for a reason. My own personal dealings with the
administration along with many other shortcomings within the City, ultimately lead me to run for elected office.

In the end, this is moot, because he is resigning and he will be gone.
I have been looking ’round the next corner for a while now and I am very optimistic.
Lowell will continue to thrive.
She will thrive….not because of one man….Lowell will thrive because of the contributions of many…this we cannot lose sight.
K-R-S Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 10:37 pm
An addendum to previous post:
This will be the first and last time I will recount this on this Blog. My preferance is to look forward and ensure that what
happened to me and my family never happens to any other resident of Lowell. I am always optimistic of change as that is how
we better ourselves as human beings.
Mike Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Thanks KRS. I was more interested in how you would react as a Councilor in a similar situation rather than your personal issues with Cox. Glad to hear it would be done in public.

I’m not sure what your request of him that was unfufilled, my family and I have lived here for years without ever having to call a city manager for something. I’m not sure what your everyday joe would need to call a city manager for, or why he would be motivated to have his friends bully your children because of a simple request from a resident. This all sounds pretty crazy. I’m guessing you weren’t calling to have a streetlight replaced.
bob lighthouse Says:
April 24th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
As a life long member of Lowell, I too have had this experience under the Cox administration. It does not matter who you are he will hurt you just because he can. To him it is not personal, it is just is. It’s a sick mind set that others really cannot understand. I hope he receives goods treatment in the future and at some time is able to return to service but for now, I hope he gets the care he needs.
Dmerce Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Hey Lynne, the only persons on this blog that are effecting our children is you and the other
gutless wonders that are showing all children that hiding in a dark room writing stories
about other people that are not true on a web site is okay. These people are cowards, I hope
Our children will have the backbone to stand up for thier concerns and not hide in a dark room..
Dmerce Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:21 am
to bob lighthouse::Get a Life or find a hobby, you need help
bob lighthouse Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:43 am
i dont know you.
bob lighthouse Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:55 am
You do not know what happen to me and my family while I worked for the City of Lowell because I didn’t hire a person who Rita M ,. Via Cox wanted me to hire
TOMMAC Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:55 am
bob you dont know him but you know his family. They are still crying in their beer.
bob lighthouse Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 12:57 am
i know the man very well
bob lighthouse Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 1:04 am
guess who?
dan m Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 8:19 am
Bob, you know nothing. I know for a fact the Mr. Cox had two conversations while on vacation. The first was the day the story broke. At that time he told his people to do nothing. He said that there was nothign they could do. The second and last call came two days before he returned. When told of the lengths his people had gone, he was touched, but also not happy. He didnt want bumper stickers etc, he wanted to announce his decision and move on. That is fact. SO you may not like him, but he did NOTHING in those two weeks to call him out on.
K-R-S Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Dan M..Thank you for bringing that information forward.
dan m Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 8:45 am
No Problem, I am a good friend on Bobby Cox, Johns brother. Johns message was to not worry about, the coucil was well in their power to dismiss him, and that a Campaign would be inappropriate. Like I have said before, like him or hate him, its up to you, but do not make up lies about him, especially when he ended the issue when he resigned. I hope now that is he not the CM anymore that people can also start to see all the good he did during his tenure. I also hope that the city of lowell gets someone in there who does an equal job, because if the city is hurt by the loss of Cox, many on the council will answer for it.. But on the positive side, lets hope they do right by the job and advertise and interview the best possible candidates, and bring someone in who can keep lowell on tract.
K-R-S Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Agreed Dan M.! I think, in spite of personal feelings regarding any given issue, we can always find common ground. And that’s very important to our overall success.
pete the pirate Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
amen! he’s moving on, so let the hateful, venomous people (like l bob) move on to hating someone else.
pete the pirate Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
and i nominate the lowell sun and the slanted views of its idi amin.
new hampshirian Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
Hear hear to Dan M. The entries on this blog since John Cox announced his resignaion have been appauling. As I read folks entries, especially Lynne’s, it seems those “left in Lowell” are an intolerant group, who would prefer to hear from folks sho only share their narrow view of things rather than entertain a full discussion, where opposing views can be exchanged. Like Dan M., I hope that the City pursues an open hiring process tht brings the greatest pool of talent to apply for the CM post. My hunch, though, is that those City Councilors, who may have been acting within ther perview albeit shabbily (and cloak within a certain degree of secrecy and potential deal making) are not just posturing to get a member of their faction appointed. That will certainly undo the hard and extremely farsighted work that John Cox has accomplished on behalf of this City. From my out-of-state vantage point, the good work done in Lowell over the past five years has certainly put Lowell on the map in many ways. The City is no longer referred to as the drug center it once was but has become an example of what a working City government can accomplish through collaboration and vision. John Cox has certainly continued to keep the dream that Paul Tsongas had for this Mill City alive, I only hope it doesn’t die with the shennanigans of a couple of bumbling City Councilors, like C. Ramirez and Donahue, who want only to feather their own nests!
Renee Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
new hampshirian you do make a good point. When people from outside Lowell find out I’m from Lowell, they make exactly the same comments that Lowell looks great. That’s the problem, it looks nice and that is about it. I bought a house for under 200k, and within a year it was appraised for almost 240k by the city. I hear “higher real estate prices keep the nieghborhoods nice” We still have an underclass problem. There are articles left and right about people in their 20’s and 30’s with educations and skills who can’t afford to live in the area, leaving a gap of the affluent and the poor. Unlike like the skilled they can’t move out of Lowell. My family I think is doing well, but my neighbors I don’t know how the heck they’re surviving.
afriend Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
new hamphirian, john cox didn’t do it all by himself ya know. Some of those bumbling councilors helped him through it. Lynne to crack broderick a little bit. His daddy pulls his strings. His Daddy (tom) is in bed with kendall.
K-R-S Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Afriend..A visual I could have done without. : )
TOMMAC Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
afriend, you’re a jackass. You know nothing. His dad( Broderick’s) plays in a golf league with Kendall. Thats like saying that David Ortiz takes steroids because he plays in the same league as Jason Giambi.
RichardJ Says:
April 25th, 2006 at 11:31 pm
afriend, are u mad because there will be no more feeding at the trough by you and your acquaintances?. Dont worry you will have every opportunity to kiss the next cm’s ass and garner favors from him too. Maybe the kickbacks will work with him too.

The leader of your so called group a Mr Brian Mcmahon should know quite a bit about being in bed with powerful men. I think that’s how he got his start in business. Didn’t he start out with Louis Saab as his partner? If that’s not being in bed with a questionable character i dont know what is. Those two spent an awful lot of time together back in the day Brian was starting out. I dont think Louis taught him how to not pay his taxes. I think Louis helped him finish out of the money in his run for city council or was that the PFL’s fault.

Lets think of the PFL’s options in 2007. Well, there is Pat McCarthy, Eddie or Brian McMahon and the guy the CM tried to anoint in 2005, Michael Zaim. Talk about a parade of fools.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 8:16 am
Shameful, thats the word I use when I tell people of the actions of George Ramirez and Mr. Millanazzo. Shameful.I sat in the council chambers for 4 hours, and I still couldnt figure out their reasoning.
Most bloggers on this site, including the person I think runs it , Lynne, are no friends of John Cox. They pushed for his departure, and they got it. John Cox was the CM for approx 6 years. In those years he has done much good for Lowell. His projects have been successful, the city is propering, and recieved its highest bond rating in a very long time, if not the highest bond ever. And for those two men not to clap when he resigned was SHAMEFUL! Mr cox was NOT impeached, he was NOT! arrested, Mr cox did nothing to warrent such rude behavior. They wanted him to resign, and he did, but those two jerks still couldnt appreciate what Mr cox has done. I will do whatever I can to make sure they never get re-elected again. SHAMEFUL.. i am embarrassed for the city.
BB5 Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 8:53 am
So booing or hissing an elected official during a public hearing is accepable behavior.

Everything is based on which side you sit on.
new hampshirian Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 9:17 am
I’m with Dan M. I will help whoever runs against those two City Councilors. They don’t represent the feelings of most of the citizens of Lowell but are so obviously angling for their own gain. Unfortunately for the City, they haven’t the mental brain power to realize that they are being played by someone with more vision and less honor, who is securing their support for their power play. Pawns of this sort are what the old Wards were comprised of, when brute force and underhanded dealings were the rule of the day. Opposing viewpoints are the blood and guts of the democratic process and need to be viewed as essential in the broadening of understanding and debate. It’s fine to disagree but not to become disagreeable. They can disagree with John Cox on whatever grounds they see fit, but recognize, too, that his contribution as a public official is worthy of respect. It shows a real lack of character and small mindedness.
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 9:24 am
weaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant, weannnnnnnnnnt. Someone get Dan M and New Hampshirian a pacifier or a bottle please. Maybe you two should run for city council next time. You seem to have a lot to say. Well, you do when you are hiding behind some screenname.
Sean Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Dan m, when you say “whatever I can” do you mean by pressure and intimidation or by open, honest discussion and ACCEPTING others views even if they differ from your own? If I disagree with you i’m an idiot but when i agree with you, I’m right on track. Somehow, I get the feeling that you would have called those councelors hypocrites if they did clap. new hampshirian, shouldn’t you be focused on your own local politics? “From my out of state vantage point” LOL.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 10:06 am
#1 dan m isnt a screenname and coming from TOMMC is laughable how dumb you are. #2 Sean, what i mean is Ill hold signs, donate money. I love you untelligent people who make false claims.. Ya the “im for Cox” people were so intimidating that the coucil crumbled at their feet.. oh wait, no they didnt.. I would not have called the coucilors out for clapping, it was the right thing to do. Your an idiot because you make things up. You put a negative conatation on me “doing what i can to get them off the council” i didnt threaten anyone, i am stating that I will get involved in the process, I wont sit here like you sean, and make things up, vilify a man who is much greater than you, when he has done great things for lowell, he at least deserved and round of applause, even if it was because you were glad he was leaving.. where you there sean, tommc, i would like to hear your defense of them. dont come on here trying to start fights by lying, making things up, and calling me a cry baby? me! i dont think so..
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 10:10 am
BB5 two people, sitting on the floor booed when millanazo started to speak, the other 150 did nothing.. and I do agree that those that did boo, should have been taken out, or spoken to. i am in 100% agreement.. dont paint the picture that it was most or even alot of us.. 2 guys from the local 1703 or 1705 (not sure) and they were spoken to by k rudy, and didnt say another word.. doesnt make the ELECTED officials any less responsible for their shamless actions
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 10:35 am
Dan, I dont need to defend the 6 councilors. They do a great job of explaining themselves. They could not continue to work with a CM who doesnt do what is asked of him. The communication from The CM’s office was horrible and they just couldnt continue to work that way. Councilor Milinazzo appreciates CM Cox for his 6 years in the office. He has done a good job and everyone on the Council knows that. All good and bad things must come to an end. It just happened to be that time. Lets all just move on and continue to make this city a great place to live.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 10:43 am
TOMMC, I am not trying to get his job back, I am not saying he was perfect.. you said it yourself..
“Councilor Milinazzo appreciates CM Cox for his 6 years in the office. He has done a good job and everyone on the Council knows that. All good and bad things must come to an end. It just happened to be that time. Lets all just move on and continue to make this city a great place to live.”

If you are right, and I am sure you think you are, then Milinazzo should have took part in the round of applause for John Cox.. Period, end of sentence.. you proved my point.. it was petty for jim and george to refrain from clapping becuase of BS petty difference.. George Ramirez hasnt even been on the council for a yearm not even 6 months.. john cox has done more for the city than both men combined.. and once again ill say and, and make sure all of you read it slowly.. JOHN COX IS GONE JULY 31, 2006, that topic is over.. but he deserved to be thanked by the entire board. and TOMMC, mr screenname hippocrit, we will see what the new manger brings to lowell and ill guarntee that mr ramirez will NOT be elected again.. lowell voters dont forget..
Renee Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Do anyone of you realize you’re talking as if the city is a business?

Government officials and employees are servants to the people. You are talking about Lowell as if it was a corporate entity and Cox was an ousted CEO by the Board of Directors.

I know many of the people who are for Cox. I consider these people my friends. I have the confidence to ask them to step back. I have this deep sympathy for Lynne, because she is new to this city, and no matter how new she is and how few friends she has, she makes a lot of valid points.

I don’t see my community and my neighbors as stock holders waiting to see how Lowell has increased in financial value. I do care about my quality of life and services that governments offer to its residents, all residents not just a few thousand.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 11:00 am
no I am not.. nore has anyone else.. I welcome Lynne to the area (I assumed she was born and bred in lowell, my bad) I expect the city to run like a city, checks and balances etc. john cox was asked to resign by 6 of his nine bosses, and he did. He didnt trash talk, call anyone out. Some people may have in the NAME of cox, but you cannot hang the blame on john, put it on his backers. John cox deserved the respect he was given. they were wrong to abstain. they didnt like his job, thought communication was bad, and they took care of it. the 6 CC’s did what was well within their job, and asked him to resign. he respected them, and they should have returned the favor.. nothing to bo with big business, nothing at all, in fact I am boggled where you pulled that analogy out of.. i made my statement, and ill say it AGAIN! they should have clapped for the man.. he didnt nothing illegal, and nothing shameful, he just wasnt the CM that the council wanted.. thats all..
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 11:07 am
What were they (city Councilors) clapping for? The fact that he resigned? What was the reason for the roll call vote? Give me a break Dan M(right). Stop crying, take your ball and go home. If you need something to hang your hat on then run with it. Otherwise I suggest you just stop your whining and get on with your life. Get over it. How did I prove your point? You didnt make a point. Life goes on, the city will continue to prosper. You will continue to cry over spilled milk for the next year and a half until the PFL puts up some stooge to run for office and he finishes out of the money by 1100 votes. Then you will all sit around wondering why it happened again.
pete the pirate Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 11:16 am
dan, i think you should hang it up, theres nothing you can say that will stop tommc from attacking. that appears to be his way.
anyways, its over….new subject.
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Stating the facts is not an attack. Pete, thanks for finally being the voice of reason from the PFL. Its very refreshing.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
what facts.. they were clapping to thank him for 6 years of work.. something that you TOMMC should try. and your making a fool of yourself, i am not crying.. i am not saying cox was wronged, i am saying, that the council as a whole should have thanked him for his contributions to the city, and sent him on his way.. and TOMMC until we see your name, stop talking tough, you have no idea who your talkign to, and a one on one debate could be arranged if you like.. keep hiding behind your SCREENNAME hippocrit
Tim Little Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Lynne: Can you please “lock” this thread? I think it’s served its purpose.
Mr. Lynne Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
The whole concept of checks and balances in this case was inappropriate. The CM doesn’t exist as a check on the CC. Quite the contrary. Whatever Mr. Cox did right, he certainly did wrong in his understanding of what the proper relationship between the CM position and the CM. That, more than anything else, is probably what did him in. I certainly wouldn’t tolerate (and I doubt almost anyone would) an employee that is supposed to report to me treating me as if he or she is some kind of ‘check’ on my ‘power’, not withstanding whatever good qualities he or she had. If Terrel Owens wants to be a boss, he should try to get a coaching job, and with that attitude I wouldn’t tolerate him on the Pats no matter his stats or asking price.

That being said, I personally would have probably clapped for him just as a matter of form to maintain a professional attitute, although I must say that his supporters did much to sour any such professional atmoshphere. They probablly didn’t clap because of an atmosphere of animosity created before they ever got there.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 12:23 pm
whatever you think of his tenure, and i totally disagree that all faults lie on Cox, thats fine. but as you stated, in a professional environment, they should have clapped, and again to punish cox, or to not clap because a bunch of bozos boo a little, or because you dont like his support system has nothing to do with it.. you clap..
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Dan M, “I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent,” but thanks for the offer. It really wouldnt be fair to you and I’m all about fair play. Stop talking tough?? Staing the truth is not talking tough. WHat is wrong with you? Why cant we all just get along?
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
we can get along, and i would have loved getting together over a Jameson and debating our thoughts.. too bad.. you must be busy with the hitler youth rally.. and i didnt see any truth in anything you said, more opinion than anything.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
on a non cox, cm type of thought process, now that coggins has said no, are there any more local people that have been named as possible replacments??
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
Sorry that your Coggins theory has been debunked. There must be another reason why the CM was forced to resign. Oh yeah, he wasnt answering to his superiors or doing what they asked. Ok, i’ll meet you at the Acre Sports Pub or the SAC club for that Jameson.
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
hahaha does anyone see what a wacko this guy is!! what Coggins theory are you making up now.. Ill meet you at any bar, any section of lowell/dracut you want. name time and place, first rounds on me..
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
it was the theory you PFL were throwing out there that Kendall wanted this to happen, so he could put Mr Coggins or his son in the seat. You Folks said there was a method to the Sun’s madness. It was mentioned in several posts from your friends. I’m ready to go but I like to support the establishments here in Lowell
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
there is no YOU FOLKS in regards to me. I heard his name, but I did not hear any theories about him being put in by wallace or anyone else. To be honest, the consensus on this board, and in conversations has been that people want NEW blood, someone not connected. I dont know how that will work in this city, but I am sure it would go along way in the council. A new face wouldnt carry any alliances with them
dan m Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
TOMMC, what does PFL stand for, I keep forgetting to ask
new hampshirian Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Don’t worry, Dan M, the Spineless 6, espcially CC G. Ramirez and Millanazzo will be duely thanked at the elections booths next time around. As you so eloquently put it, Lowellians don’t forget. In fact, if anyone wants to check it out the three supportive councilors received more votes than the others combined so their loyalties should have been considered when all was said and done. In the end though, the Spineless 6 will definitely get the message–and no doubt more than John Cox will be clapping, a standing ovation will be more like it.
new hampshirian Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
People for Lowell
TOMMC Says:
April 26th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Lowellian, I mean New Hampshirian be thankful there wasnt a math test to let you write your foolishness on this blog. Obviously you’re not a mathematician. If 20,489 votes is more than 36,077 votes Ill eat my shoe. Trust me I’ll never forget the 3 who cant think for themselves. I’ll only be casting 6 votes for CC in 2007.
new hampshirian Says:
April 27th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Thank you TOMMC for correcting my misquote and for providing an accurate accounting of actual votes. If you analyze the votes though, I am sure it is hard to miss that three councilors brought over 20,000 voters to the booths. Whereas the Spineless 6 only motivated 36,077 voters to support them. If we divide those votes evenly among the voters (which is a not an accurate portrait because Rita Mercier alone brings in more votes by a huge margin, but for the sake of argument let’s continue, we can see that the 3 councilors (with roughly 6,800 votes) are much more popular with the PEOPLE of LOWELL than the Spineless 6 (who only garner 6,000 voes each). So the majority, a basic tenet of a DEMOCRATIC society, support the 3 Cox supporting councilors, three individuals I who have rightfully earned the title BACKBONE, since in the shifting sands of lobbied loyalties they remained true to wishes of the people. My guess is that the arrogance of these councilors, in pursuing their own private agendae, will not be forgotten so the margins represented by historical numbers will be blown out of the water as will the no doubt the political careers of the Spineless 6 next election.
dan m Says:
April 27th, 2006 at 10:00 am
AMEN!!
TOMMC Says:
April 27th, 2006 at 2:46 pm
new hampshirian, I’m positive crack is illegal. Stop smoking it. Your math skills are still atrocious.
Dan. M Says:
April 27th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
hahahaah thats awesome… way to keep it civil.. Lynne, check his IP we may have our imposter
new hampshirian Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 8:59 am
Thanks, Dan M, however, it is abundantly clear that Tommc’s cannot support his position. In the end, those who receive the highest number of votes win. Period.
waittilnextyr Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
“…will be blown out of the water as will the no doubt the political careers of the Spineless 6 next election.”

A bit of an oxymoron, there, as it would appear from your statement that these six have risked their political careers, an action which is hard to consider “spineless”.

I think it will boil down to what surfaces as the reason for their turn-about. If there are valid reasons they should fare well in the next election, but if done for their own purposes, they will be in trouble. We will have to wait and see, as the reasons being given so far do not rise to the level that justifies the turmoil that is resulting from it.
Lowellian Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
The reason for the “turn about” is nothing but petty jealousy- jealousy that CM Cox is a “strong” CM- Cox is well-respected and more deserving than they of credit for the turnaround that has taken place here in Lowell. They are unhappy that he does not gleefully take the fall for them and be the “whipping boy” every Tuesday night to a bunch of “2 hour a week” city EMPLOYEES who want to look good on TV. What makes them “spineless” is not admitting this publicly. Instead, they hiding behind what the Lowell Sun tells them ought to be good reasons……
TOMMC Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Didnt the Acre Revitilization project start in 1999? Hmmm, lets credit John Cox with inventing the wheel too. You guys are grasping at straws, the only reason to oust him was that he doesnt listen, kind of like you guys.
Lowellian Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Actually, the Acre Revitalization Project was a plan back in 1999. But that’s all it was. No $$$$. No implementation until Cox came along.

How many times has this CC made a poor decision against the advice of the CM? Remember the $2.2M added to the tax levy because the self-proclaimed “fiscal watchdog” Elliott and other councilors would not listen to Cox when he told them how much $$ was in the city “reserve funds” We need some “professional” councilors.

Maybe if we had some “professional” councilors, they would have read the Zoning Ordinance they enacted in 2002 BEFORE enacting it!! Maybe then we wouldn’t see amendment after amendment after amendment and hear all the whining to the CM about projects that violate the “spirit” of the ordinance but are all legally permissible under the Zoning Ordinance that they enacted.

And the Stoklosa School…$290,000…but the CC is not upset when the price of a parking garage increases by about $5M in the span of a month. They want to borrow the $$$$!!
No one you know Says:
April 28th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
Okay, that’s pretty much it. Cox resigned. Now we have to see what the City Council does
regarding a replacement.

Folks posting to this board like Cox, Folks posting to this board don’t like Cox.

As Kennedy said to Krushev (sp) I’m not going to make you a capitalst and you aren’t going to
make me a socialist, so lets move on! (paraphrasing)
TOMMC Says:
April 29th, 2006 at 12:29 am
Lowellian or New Hampshirian whoever you are today, its great to see that you never let the facts get in the way of your argument. Who was on the council in 2002?

No one, thank you for finally being the voice of reason.
Lowellian Says:
April 30th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
Actually, my reference to the 2002 Zoning Ordinance was a typo. It was enacted November 2004……..a little over 1 year ago.
new hampshirian Says:
May 1st, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Looks like TOMMC caught the convenient memory syndrome that seems to be sweeping through the CC!!
TOMMC Says:
May 2nd, 2006 at 10:32 pm
Is that better than being brain dead and in the minority? The facts dont lie IAN

April 24, 2006

Can We Stop the Drama Now, Please?

92 Responses to “Can We Stop the Drama Now, Please?”

Leave a Reply

Find us on Facebook

LeftinLowell Tweets LIVE

Pages:

Recent Posts

Search

Categories:

Archives:

Other:

Email us!

LiL Fundraising for Elizabeth Warren!

Lowell Area Bloggers/Forums

Lowell Politics

Mass Bloggers

Media in Lowell

Media in MA

Other Daily Reads

Politics Online

Progressive Local Orgs

Snark and politics

The Arts in Lowell

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Mar				May »
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30